The ups and downs of the Torcole mountains

A cool summer spent high in the mountains: 9 alpine huts, 2 bivouacs and a lodge to add to your Lombardy bucket list

Explore Lombardy with your children! Experiential and interactive museums to stimulate curiosity and creativity.

Museums, Indiana Jones-style adventures and school farms. Discover Lombardy for children

To begin: a lot of sports, genuine food, romantic walks, cultural trips and relax

On a trip to the caves of Lombardy

Four suspension bridges in Lombardy

The Path of the Oratories is a very scenic hiking route, approximately 14 kilometers long, that connects the Church of St. Paul the Apostle with several of its dependent Oratories in the municipality of Val di Nizza, in Oltrepò Pavese.   From the beautiful church, whose origins date back to the 9th century, you quickly descend along a stretch of the old path known as the "Brgnü," until you reach the banks of the Nizza stream, arriving at the Molino dei Gobbi and then to the Oratory of San Lorenzo, built in the 16th century. The route leads to the Serzego farm, now a renowned agriturismo, and from here you climb to reach the peaks on the right side of the Nizza stream. The peaks can also be reached by taking the Pratolungo variant. Walking along the high path, the visitor is rewarded with beautiful panoramic views, including the view from Mount dell'Orso over Val di Nizza and the Ardivestra Valley. Following the signs, you descend to the valley, passing through the small village of Rivarolo, and then reach the Oratory of Madonna di Casa Schiavo. This Oratory contains Baroque works that date its origins to the 17th century. Leaving the Oratory, you take the "Partisan Path," with a detour leading to the memorial marking the sacrifice of Silvano Salvatici. In the village of Monticelli, the beautiful fountain offers refreshment before arriving at the Oratory of San Rocco, built in 1632 by the Malaspina Marchesi of Casarasco at the request of Cardinal Antonio Barberini, Abbot Commendatory of the Butrio Abbey, in gratitude after the plague epidemic that ravaged the valley in 1630. A small detour leads to Casarasco, the ancient "Castrum Casalaxio" of the early Malaspina family of Lunigiana, which still retains important historical references. Retracing your steps, you ascend to the village of Monte, a settlement dating back to around the year 1000 as a "domus culta" dependent on the Abbey of San Alberto di Butrio. After walking about 2 kilometers through shady oak and chestnut forests, you arrive at Poggio Ferrato, a village in Val di Nizza that is not without charm. From the small square, you descend a few meters on the paved road, and in front of the Association's headquarters, you continue on the path leading to the Oratory of San Giulio, the next stop on the journey. The Oratory, also known as the Oratory of St. Michael, was built as a Cenobium by the monks of Butrio around the 11th century. Later transformed into a small church, it represents one of the oldest places of worship in Val di Nizza. After leaving behind the locality of Costa and walking a few hundred meters, near the iron cross, an expansive view opens up across the entire Val di Nizza. After passing the ruins of the Casella farmhouse, now overtaken by vegetation, and the few houses of Solaro, you quickly descend to the Church of St. Paul, where the excursion ends. This path reveals the history, environment, and ancient worship of this land, offering a pleasant sense of nostalgia that will accompany you throughout the journey. Equipment: hiking boots, rain jacket, trekking poles, camera, binoculars, water. Recommended period: all year round, except for hunting days. It is recommended not to light fires, not to pick flowers, not to leave waste, and to respect animals. INFORMATION: Cultural Association Friends of Poggio Ferrato poggioferratoass@gmail.com www.amicidipoggioferrato.com Tel. +39 347.7250825 PHOTO: WALKING IN OLTREPÒ  

I The Charcoal Kilns Path is a circular hiking route of approximately 13.53 kilometers that starts from S. Albano, follows a stretch of the Nizza stream up to its sources, passes through the village of Oramala, Pian del Re, then descends near the Oratory of San Giulio in Poggio Ferrato, reaches the "Acqua d'Uovo" chapel in Molino Cassano, the hamlet of Cassano Superiore, and ends back at S. Albano, where it began. From the parking area, after the S. Albano cemetery, you take the dirt path that runs along the banks of the Nizza stream. At first, you will encounter a sulfur spring, and later a brief detour leads to the "Partisan Cave," a cavern that bears witness to the dramatic moments of the Resistance in Val di Nizza. Returning to the main path, after a short distance, you arrive at the "Madonna del Turista" shrine, created in the 1970s by the Pavia sculptor Vittorio Grilli. When you reach the ford of the Nizza stream, the path continues along a route bordered by badlands—rocky walls eroded by the elements, creating a spectacular landscape. Further ahead, a small sulfur spring gushes, accompanied by a stone bench for those wishing to rest. After passing the Nizza spring area, you cross the "Eagle Path" coming from the "Castello di Verde" and leading to Oramala. Here, you need to take a detour and keep right until you reach a forest clearing, created long ago by humans to make way for the "Charcoal Kiln," a technique used to turn wood into charcoal, as explained by the plaques located on-site. Returning to the main path, you continue until you pass the ruins of "Riassa," then reach the provincial road Varzi - Val di Nizza. Continuing along the asphalt without deviations, you can quickly reach the village of Oramala, with its 11th-century castle. The ancient village, once classified among the most beautiful in Italy, and the Oratory of the Nativity of the Virgin Mary, dating back to the 14th century, are also of tourist interest. Returning from Oramala on the main route, you can choose an alternative path that descends to Cassano Superiore. This section offers picturesque views of Oltrepò, including the Montalto Pavese Castle. Following the main itinerary, you reach the lower plain of Pian del Re, where you can admire various centuries-old chestnut trees of unique shapes and sizes. In the same plain, there is still a pit that was used to build the "buried charcoal kiln," another technique used by the charcoal makers to produce charcoal. Climbing to the upper clearing, you can enjoy the entire arc of the Apennines, with Mount Penice on the left, followed by Cima Colletta, Lesima, Chiappo, Pian dell'Armà, Boglelio, and Giarolo. The equipped area at Pian del Re provides an opportunity for a break. After resuming the walk, you descend until you meet the Health Path. A brief detour leads to the Oratory of San Giulio, one of the oldest in Val di Nizza. Continuing along the main direction, you reach the "Cappelletta dell'Acqua d'Uovo" in Molino Cassano, where a small sulfur spring flows, dedicated to the memory of Robertino and Valeria Schiavi. From the sulfur spring, via the "ciaplera," an ancient stone-paved path, you reach Cassano Superiore, the junction point for the previously mentioned path variant. From this small and charming hamlet, you proceed to the concrete bridge crossing the Nizza stream, then into the village of S. Albano, and after passing the church with its "voltone," you reach the starting parking area. Equipment: hiking boots, rain jacket, trekking poles, camera, binoculars, water. It is recommended not to light fires, not to pick flowers, not to leave waste, and to respect animals. Recommended period: all year round, except for hunting days. Information: Cultural Association Friends of Poggio Ferrato poggioferratoass@gmail.com www.amicidipoggioferrato.com Tel. +39 333.7318669

From Lake Como to Lake Lugano along the former railway line

4 fishing areas, on the valley floor on the river Adda, on the Mallero creek, or on the alpine lakes of Campagneda.

From the green heart of Como to Vanzago Woods, check out 6 parks for day trips